I see his point. I truly do. But it will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, that it had me thinking about dishes. I left this comment on his post.

"You make a good point.

When I was reading about the properties she ignores, I was thinking about my china cabinet. I have my mother in law's http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/chi... and my mother's good china. http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/chi... I am afraid to use it, though, because what if it breaks? I know it is not exactly an expensive antique, but any plate I replaced it with would not be the same, because it wasn't selected, washed, dried and put away with their own hands.... It just wouldn't be the same. These are more earthly treasures, and I am afraid to put them to good use... Our faith however, should not be as fragile as china, and should be able to be put to good use often."

However, I have been thinking and thinking since reading this post. Yes. About china. And crystal salad bowls. And wine glasses. I have been thinking about things that I have decided are too "special" to ever use, and so they are not being used as they were meant to be used. Seriously. My mil died with almost a full set of china, but my own mom had one soup bowl left, about half of the teacups, 9 out of 12 dinner plates... Why? Because she didn't treasure them? Hardly. They were a wedding gift from her mom, and she put them out for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter... but not every day. Some pieces are missing because I used to help her do the dishes. Yes. Me. Butterfingers. I dropped some, by accident of course. Do you think Momma had a cow because treasured dishes were broken (remember, this was before Replacements.com ltd made it easy to find and restore missing pieces). No, I'd cry, and she would hug me and tell me that people are more important than things, and that I am worth more to her than the whole set (which, I KNEW meant a lot to her). She'd then pick up the pieces. I'd want to try to glue it back together. She'd refuse.

"You could cut yourself! Do you think this teacup is worth even a drop of your blood to me? Forget it. It was an accident. It is only a thing..."

I did not forget it. I remember it now. People are worth more than things. It is time to start using the family china. Perhaps on my birthday. I have already started on the good salad bowls...

Oh, and sorry for twisting up the meaning of your post in my mind, Peter. My only excuse is that my mind is random...

What a great post. It's so tender and real. I know guys aren't supposed to care about that stuff, but I appreciate it even when I see through someone else's eyes. I blame all the romance/romantic comedies my wife has made me watch. :)

Helen, I don't think you mixed up a word from Peter. I saw his post, and I think you've taken it in a perfect direction. I suspect you'll feel a little closer to your precious Momma every time you use them, and you'll treasure those dishes even more. I'm guessing God will even get some glory out of it as you thank Him for food resting on dishes that cause you to thank Him for the sweet memories you have of her.

My mom has this beautiful fine china from Japan, and like your mom, she used it often. I like to take it out and ask her, "Where did this chip come from?" or "What happened to the creamer that went with the sugar bowl? The memories are what are priceless. Not so much the things.

Oh, Helen. This is beautiful. And I had this thought when you said (or your mom said), "Do you think this teacup is worth even a drop of your blood to me?"--that we are His teacups, and He believed we were worth shedding every drop of His blood.

Our Sunday Visitor

And so are you...

Prayer for the Conversion of Unbelievers

O God, of all peoples on the earth, be mindful of the many unbelievers. They have been created in Your image, yet they do not know You or Your Son Jesus Christ, their Savior Who died for them. By the prayers of Your Church, may they be freed from all ignorance and unbelief and led to worship You. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Whom You sent to be the resurrection and the life of all human beings. Amen.